By Namwook Cho, L.Ac.
AB 2497, a bill that would allow physical therapists to perform dry needling, passed the Assembly Business and Professions Committee on April 21 by a narrow 10–8 vote — a margin of just two votes. The bill still awaits Senate review. The window for the acupuncture community to act is closing fast.
Acupuncture Times outlines three actions you can take right now.
Leverage Lobbyists
When it comes to shaping legislation, professional lobbyists are among the most powerful tools available. They maintain direct, ongoing relationships with legislators and have real-time insight into committee dynamics — influence that far exceeds what hundreds of individual emails can achieve.
Hiring a lobbyist on your own may not be realistic. But there is another way. Acupuncture organizations that have already taken official positions against AB 2497 are actively engaged in joint lobbying efforts. You can participate through membership or by contributing to their lobbying funds. If you are already affiliated with a professional association, now is the time to reach out and get involved.
Direct advocacy counts too. Scheduling a meeting with your local legislator’s office and delivering your message as a licensed practitioner is lobbying in its own right. Come prepared with patient safety data and real clinical examples — it makes all the difference.
“Numbers Persuade”: Take the Survey and Share It
Acupuncture Times and Hani Times are jointly conducting a survey on AB 2497. The results will be compiled into statistical data and formally submitted to the Assembly Business and Professions Committee.
The survey includes a license number field — which means responses are verified as coming from actual licensed acupuncturists in California. This is not a general opinion poll. It is documented, data-driven evidence of organized professional opposition. The more people who participate, the stronger that evidence becomes.
- 한국어 설문 참여하기 (클릭)
- English Survey Form (Click)
- Deadline: May 15, 2026
Sharing matters just as much as participating. A quick message in a group chat, a text to a colleague, a post on social media — it takes ten seconds and can bring in dozens more responses.
“One Email Takes Five Minutes”: Write to the Committee Directly
This is the fastest action you can take. Staff email addresses for all 14 members of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee are publicly available. Copy the addresses below, paste them into the recipient field, and send your opposition.
Copy all addresses:
ellen.green@asm.ca.gov, kevin.fong@asm.ca.gov, kylie.baranowski@asm.ca.gov, andrea.chmelik@asm.ca.gov, martin.bui@asm.ca.gov, eddie.kirby@asm.ca.gov, adam.capper@asm.ca.gov, kimberly.salas@asm.ca.gov, estefani.avila@asm.ca.gov, michelle.henry@asm.ca.gov, carlos.e.gutierrez@asm.ca.gov, rob.chua@asm.ca.gov, sean.porter@asm.ca.gov, rene.romero@asm.ca.gov, yasamin.salari@asm.ca.gov, mackenzie.ewing@asm.ca.gov, terra.grantham@asm.ca.gov, ethan.bertrand@asm.ca.gov, aakash.vashee@asm.ca.gov, ryan.valencia@asm.ca.gov, mitchell.mattos@asm.ca.gov, daniel.peeden@asm.ca.gov, jacqueline.anapolsky@asm.ca.gov, brian.mineghino@asm.ca.gov, jessica.vang@asm.ca.gov, giezi.bermudez@asm.ca.gov, charmaine.mills@asm.ca.gov, maryanne.groen@asm.ca.gov
State clearly that you are a licensed acupuncturist in California, that dry needling is acupuncture by any definition, and that allowing it without equivalent training puts patients at serious risk. Adding a sentence or two from your own clinical experience will make your message stand out from a form email.
Legislative experts put it plainly:
“WHEN OFFICES BEGIN RECEIVING A SURGE OF EMAILS ON THE SAME ISSUE, LEGISLATORS TAKE A SECOND LOOK.”
The Clock Is Running
Survey participation takes five minutes. Sending an email takes ten. Sharing a link takes one. All three can be done in under 20 minutes.
Before AB 2497 reaches the Senate, this may be the last opportunity for California’s approximately 13,000 licensed acupuncturists to make their voices heard.
